Michigan Department of Education 2020-2021 Application for Reduction of Hours/Days Waiver for Alternative and/or Innovative Programs

IMPORTANT - REVIEW THIS RUBRIC WHILE YOU COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FOR BEST RESULTS. 

Applications that do not fully consider all rubric items will require modifications.

The State School Aid Act, Section 101(9) [MCL 388.1701] states: Upon application by the district for a particular fiscal year, the superintendent shall waive for a district the minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction requirement of subsection (3) for a department-approved alternative education program or another innovative program approved by the department, including a 4-day school week. If a district applies for and receives a waiver under this subsection and complies with the terms of the waiver, the district is not subject to forfeiture under this section for the specific program covered by the waiver. If the district does not comply with the terms of the waiver, the amount of the forfeiture shall be calculated based upon a comparison of the number of hours and days of pupil instruction actually provided to the minimum number of hours and days of pupil instruction required under subsection (3).

If you are unsure of your 5-digit district or building code, please check in the Education Entity Master (EEM).  Applications with incorrect or incomplete codes may be returned for modifications.  If the application is approved, an approval will be e-mailed to the contact person and the lead administrator in the EEM in approximately 2-3 weeks.  Processing may take longer during times when a high volume of applications are received.

Questions regarding this form should be directed to Steve Nemeckay.  Applications for this waiver are due on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Upon submission of this form, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the contact e-mail below.

Contact Information

District/Program Information

Is the program an Alternative Program or an Innovative program? *

Reduction of Hours and/or Days Request

Is this waiver being requested to support a 4-day school week for the entire school year? *

Additional Request for 50% Attendance Waiver Flexibility

The State School Aid Act, Section 101(3)(h) [MCL 388.1701]: At the request of a district that operates a department-approved alternative education program and that does not provide instruction for pupils in all of grades K to 12, the superintendent may grant a waiver from the requirements of subdivision (e). The waiver shall indicate that an eligible district is subject to the proration provisions of subdivision (e) only if the district does not have at least 50% of the district's membership in attendance on any day of pupil instruction. In order to be eligible for this waiver, a district must maintain records to substantiate its compliance with the following requirements:

  • The district offers the minimum hours of pupil instruction as required under this section.
  • For each enrolled pupil, the district uses appropriate academic assessments to develop an individual education plan that leads to a high school diploma.
  • The district tests each pupil to determine academic progress at regular intervals and records the results of those tests in that pupil's individual education plan.
  • The 50% waiver is only available to districts not operating full K-12 programming or to districts that have been approved in previous fiscal years.
Does the district wish to apply for the 50% attendance waiver? *

Assurance and Certification

By completing this application and participating in the Waiver of Minimum Number of Hours and Days of Pupil Instruction for Alternative Education Programs, you agree to participate in follow-up reporting requirements.  The year-end report is due in mid-July of each year and will be posted at the MDE’s Alternative Education website.

It is assured that the Alternative Education Program or other innovative program approved by MDE is an identifiable program not regularly available to general district pupils.  If the program is regularly available to general district pupils, please attach an explanation in writing.

It is assured that the Alternative Education Program or other innovative program approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will operate for at least the amount of hours and/or days requested above.

Assurance *
Signature of Authorized Official *
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